Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 1999
Mahler's measure of a polynomial can be written as a logarithmic integral over the torus. We propose a definition when the underlying group is an elliptic curve. Having reviewed some of the classical results in the toral case, we take some first steps towards realising elliptic analogues. In particular, we focus on elliptic analogues of Kronecker's theorem and Lehmer's problem. We wish to stress the fundamental role played by Jensen's formula in both the toral and elliptic formulations of these results.